Dylan Hartley was shown a red card for his high chop tackle on Sean O'Brien in December

“But I’ve never seen him look fitter. You’d want him to have been playing rugby but he’s certainly benefited from weeks of strength and conditioning.

“That’s probably put him in better condition than he was for last year’s Six Nations.”

Jones has more problems in the front row with Mako Vunipola out and fellow loosehead Joe Marler struggling with a calf strain.

Wasps prop Matt Mullan is favourite to fill the gap with uncapped duo Bath’s Nathan Catt and Leicester’s Ellis Genge also in the frame. Billy Vunipola and Chris Robshaw are also crocked from last season’s Grand Slam-winning pack.

But Jones insisted: “It’s not frustrating at all — it’s an opportunity for us to grow the depth of the squad.

“It’s an opportunity for Mullan, Catt or Genge to show they’re up to it. You just get on with it.

“Joe might be all right for the France game, you never know.

“He’s down at Brighton, they have good sea down there so the recuperation can be quicker.”